What to put in the home medicine cabinet for the warm season – Family, well-being

What should be at hand to be able to help yourself and your loved ones if any health problems occur during the spring and summer months. The manager of “Mēnes Aptiekas”, pharmacist Jeļena Bebre, gives advice on the recommended contents of the first aid kit.

Insect repellents

In the warm season, you can encounter insects both in the countryside and in cities, and it is not only mosquitoes, but also ticks. “Don’t forget about these insects if you are gardening or going out into nature! Of course, you should be vaccinated against tick-borne encephalitis in time, but the vaccine does not protect against Lyme disease, which is also transmitted by ticks. An additional way to protect yourself from insects is the use of repellents. A special bracelet is useful for protecting the child from mosquitoes, special patches are now available in the pharmacy – they contain essential oils that repel insects,” says the pharmacist.

Disinfectants, antiseptics and sterile bandages

Owners of backyard land or garden are rarely able to avoid major or even minor injuries during the entire active season – stab or cut wounds, abrasions, bruises. The pharmacist emphasizes: “The first thing to be clear about is whether you have been vaccinated against tetanus. If the vaccine has not been received, you should go to the family doctor and definitely do it.” Any skin damage is dangerous due to both bleeding and the development of infection, so the pharmacist reminds that every wound, even the smallest, must be treated. “I recommend adding to your home medicine cabinet products that are intended specifically for the treatment of wounds, mucous membranes and skin and do not contain skin-irritating substances. For example, hydrogen peroxide and alcohol kill many infections, but they also burn the edges of the wound, making it larger and slowing the healing process. For wound disinfection, it is better to use an aqueous solution of iodine, octenidine dihydrochloride, phenoxyethanol, benzalkonium hydrochloride, chlorhexidine, or an aqueous solution of furagin,” explains the pharmacist, adding that sterile napkins, gauze bandages and plasters of various sizes will also be useful. “Using a patch helps to strengthen the edges of the wound, protects the wound, reduces the load on it and protects it from environmental influences. In some cases, gloves made of latex or other waterproof material are helpful to protect the wound in the finger, for example, when cooking or washing dishes.

Elastic bandages and ointments

Special ointments that can be purchased at the pharmacy will help to cope with pain, hematomas (bruises) and swelling. “Painkillers with the active ingredient diclofenac sodium help reduce pain and swelling when there is a ligament sprain, contusion or microtear. Thanks to the cooling effect of menthol (as well as other ingredients), cooling gels or ointments can help relieve pain. In case of hematomas, for example, heparin ointment or arnica ointment is recommended.” The pharmacist emphasizes that one should be attentive to injuries – if there is no improvement and, especially, if a dislocation is suspected, one should definitely seek help from a traumatologist.

If your back hurts after physical activity in the garden, walking or hiking, you can use a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug with an analgesic effect containing, for example, ibuprofen or dexketoprofen. “To reduce pain, it is usually recommended to take 1-2 tablets, but it should be kept in mind that these drugs should not be used often and for a long time. Also, always consult a doctor and pharmacist about over-the-counter medicines!” asks Jeļena Bebre and reminds that when using an ointment with declofenac for pain, the part of the body treated with it should be protected from sunlight, so it should be hidden under clothing.

Indigestion remedies

Sunny and hot weather can contribute to faster spoilage of food and therefore also pose a risk of poisoning. If food is exposed to direct sunlight on a picnic or while traveling, it can spoil. “Adsorbing preparations against diarrhea should always be at hand. You should start using activated charcoal when you already feel sick. The dose is one tablet per 10 kg of weight. Before use, it would be advisable to consult a specialist.

If you have nausea or severe diarrhea, you should drink a liquid that contains electrolytes and prevents the body from becoming dehydrated. You can buy them at the pharmacy as powders that can be dissolved in a glass of drinking water.

A preparation containing beneficial bacteria (probiotics) will help against diarrhea – they have a positive effect on the intestinal microbiome, soothe the intestines and normalize bowel movements.

If the symptoms of poisoning do not go away within 48 hours or if they intensify – stomach cramps, blurred vision or even impaired consciousness (delirium) appear, you should immediately contact your family doctor or call for emergency medical help,” warns the pharmacist.

Sunscreen for face and body

When staying in the sun with minimal clothing, you should use a product with SPF 50 from spring until the end of summer. It can protect the skin from burns and possible skin cancer,” says the pharmacist. A cream or spray containing panthenol will be useful for both sunburns and burns caused by open fire, careless handling of a grill or other hot object.

Medicines to relieve allergy symptoms

At a time when everything in nature flourishes and blooms, the concentration of pollen in the air can be very high. “If you are prone to seasonal allergies, you must have an antihistamine in your medicine cabinet. Allergy treatment therapy is prescribed by a doctor, but a pharmacist can recommend drugs in an acute situation when it is important to reduce allergy symptoms. The long-known first-generation antihistamines often cause drowsiness, so it is not recommended to use them during the day, especially if it is important to concentrate or drive a vehicle,” explains the pharmacist and points out that second-generation antihistamines will be more suitable – they do not cause drowsiness. The medicine reduces the unpleasant symptoms of allergy – watery eyes, pain, itching in the eyes, swelling, runny nose, sneezing, redness of the skin.

“If you know which plant pollens cause allergies, it is recommended to start using an antihistamine about two weeks before the flowering of these plants, reducing the possibility of developing allergic symptoms,” advises the pharmacist.

Antioxidants to support the body

“At this point, it won’t hurt to take a good dose of antioxidants to further support immunity. The topic is:

• citrus fruits, rose hips, kiwi, paprika, spinach are rich in vitamin C;

• Vitamin A contained in carrots, salmon, cod liver;

• vitamin E, found in vegetable oil, broccoli, nuts, fish, avocado;

• coenzyme Q10, which is rich in herring, sesame seeds, chicken, beef, broccoli.

If necessary and after consulting a doctor, antioxidants can also be taken in the form of a nutritional supplement, which is usually recommended to be taken for one or two months,” says the pharmacist. Jelena Bebre invites you to always ask the pharmacist for advice and to make sure that the home first aid kit contains useful, helpful medicines and medical supplies for various situations.

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